Dental material container with porous flow through applicator

ABSTRACT

A dental nozzle, cartridge, capsule or container having a porous or foam flow through applicator connected at the discharge end thereof; and having a body portion containing or receiving a low viscosity dental material. In one form, a displaceable plunger or piston is disposed within the body portion to extrude the dental material through the discharge orifice and attached flow through applicator. The foam or porous applicator may be connected to the discharge end at the time of manufacture as by molding, or by mechanically connecting or by adhering the same to the discharge orifice as part of the assembly process. The flow through applicator may be made in a variety of shapes to provide improved and controlled application of a low viscosity dental material to a dental site. Additionally, the porosity of the porous or foam material may be matched to the viscosity of the dental material to control the flow of dental material therethrough.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No.09/906,369 filed Jul. 16, 2001, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates generally to a dental container, capsule ornozzle used for applying relatively low viscosity or fluent dentalmaterials onto a tooth, and more particularly to a capsule, nozzle orcontainer for dispensing low viscosity dental material through a porousflow through applicator connected to the discharge orifice for evenlydistributing and applying the low viscosity or fluent dental materialdirectly onto a tooth as the material is being dispensed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Heretofore, high viscosity dental materials have been appliedwith the use of a dental capsule utilizing a displaceable piston or plugto force or express a high viscosity material out from the capsulethrough a discharge orifice. A syringe having a plunger is often used incombination with such capsule to displace the piston. In many dentalapplications, when a relatively low viscosity or very fluent material isto be applied, brushes have been used to apply the same. However, usinga brush type applicator requires constant reapplication of the dentalmaterial to the brush. This is inconvenient and time consuming, and attimes results in dripping or the placement of such low viscosity orfluent dental material in an inappropriate or even dangerous locationswithin the mouth. For example, various low viscosity dental materials,such as acid etch materials, are intended to be applied only to thetooth and may cause injury to the gum or other soft tissues if appliedthereto.

[0004] Efforts have been made to overcome the problems encountered inthe placement of low viscosity or fluent materials. One example of adental dispenser or syringe for use in applying dental materials isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,804 entitled “Fiber Ended Open OrificeDelivery Tip” issuing to Fischer on Oct. 6, 1998. Therein disclosed is adelivery syringe having a plurality of small fibrous bristles disposedaround an outer periphery of the nozzle adjacent the discharge orifice.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,570 entitled “Dental Container TypeApplicator” granted to Dragan et al on May 9, 2000, which is hereinincorporated by reference, discloses a dental container, capsule ornozzle that has minute fibers or flocking adhered about the externalsurface of a discharge nozzle in the vicinity of the discharge orifice,which permits the user to spread, burnish, or distribute dental materialon a tooth as the material is being expressed from the capsule, nozzleor container.

[0006] While these prior applicator devices are suitable for applyingcertain dental materials, some difficulty has been encountered inachieving the desired control or consistent flow requirements oftenrequired in effecting proper tooth restoration and/or in performingother dental procedures requiring the use of low viscosity materials.Additionally, the difficulty in the placement of the minute or smallfibers or bristles onto a nozzle has often resulted in irregularcovering of such fibers onto the nozzle or discharge end of a cartridgeto result in the possibility of scratching or damaging the surface onwhich the material is to be applied. Therefore, there is a need for animproved, more easily manufactured and more reliable dental applicatorfor use in applying materials of relatively low viscosity by which suchmaterials can be spread, burnished or distributed directly onto a toothor other surface as the material is being dispensed from a capsule orsyringe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention is directed to a dental container, nozzle, orcapsule for containing or dispensing a low viscosity dental materialwhich includes a discharge end or orifice having a foam or porous flowthrough applicator or covering. In one embodiment the dental containerincludes a needle-like cannula through which the material is dispensed.The foam or porous flow through covering or applicator attached to thedischarge end or orifice may take a variety of different shapes suitablefor performing a prescribed procedure. The foam or porous covering isuniformly formed or connected to the discharge end for permitting aneven, uniform flow of the dental material therethrough, as the materialis being dispensed. The foam or porous flow through covering may beapplied to the container or capsule during the molding process thereofand can be molded to any desired shape. In another embodiment, the foamor porous covering may be mechanically retained or adhered by suitableadhesive onto the discharge end of a capsule or cartridge.

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providean improved applicator for the application of low viscosity dentalmaterials directly onto a tooth.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide adental applicator having improved material flow characteristics.

[0010] It is an advantage of the present invention that the porousapplicator end may be made in a variety of different shapes dependingupon the dental procedure to be performed.

[0011] It is a further advantage of the present invention that thedental container or cartridge with flow through applicator can beproduced with consistency and uniformity.

[0012] A feature of the present invention is that a foam or porous flowthrough cover is connected to the discharge end of the dental containeror capsule to control the dispensing and application of a fluent or lowviscosity dental material.

[0013] It is a further feature of the present invention that thedischarge end of a dental capsule or cartridge may be of various shapessuitable for a particular procedure.

[0014] These and other objects, advantages, and features will becomereadily apparent in view of the following more detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a partial view of the applicator or discharge end of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view in cross section of anembodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a partial view of the applicator or discharge end of thepresent invention illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view in cross section of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0022]FIG. 8 is a partial view of the discharge or applicator end ofanother embodiment of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the applicator end ordischarge end of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0024]FIG. 9A is a cross sectional view of a discharge portion ofanother embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0026]FIG. 11 is a perspective view in partial section of yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 12 is a perspective view with a partial section of yetanother embodiment of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0029]FIG. 14 is a partially sectioned view of another embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0030]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a syringe assembly illustratingan embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a dental capsule 30 which is formed from anysuitable plastic material having a generally cylindrical body portion30A. The cylindrical body portion 30A defines a reservoir for containinga predetermined amount of relatively non-viscous, a low viscosity, orfluid dental material M. The dental material may comprise a sealant,cement, bonding agent, flowable composite or other dental materialhaving a generally low viscosity or fluent consistency. The dentalcapsule or cartridge 30 has a rear open end 32 and an opposite dischargeend 31. A flange 30C is placed adjacent the rear open end 32. A piston33 is freely displaceable within the body portion 30A and seals opening32. The tapering discharge nozzle end 30B provides a relatively smoothtransition zone from the larger diameter body portion 30A to the smallerdiameter discharge orifice 31. Attached to the discharge nozzle 30B andsurrounding the orifice 31 is a covering 34 of a porous material such asa sponge, open cellular foam, or the like, by which the material beingdispensed can flow therethrough and by which the material may be spread,burnished or brushed directly onto a tooth as it is being dispensed. Theopen cellular covering 34 may be formed by molding the same during themolding of the capsule or cartridge 30, or may be attached thereto by asuitable adhesive or by mechanical means. When molded, the open cellularcovering 34 bonds to the discharge nozzle without the need for glue oradhesive. The covering 34 may be made of any cellular or foam-likematerial that is porous, e.g. a natural or synthetic sponge, plasticfoam or other open cellular or porous material. The porosity of thecovering 34 may be matched to the viscosity of the material M. That is,if the material M being dispensed is somewhat less fluent, the foam orcovering 34 may be provided with larger pores or openings so as topermit such less fluent material to flow therethrough in a controlledmanner. If the material M being dispensed is less viscous, the covering34 may be formed with smaller openings or pores to control the flowtherethrough. Therefore, the flow characteristics of the material M maybe controlled accurately and in a consistent manner depending upon theviscosity of the material being dispensed therethrough.

[0032] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention.In this embodiment, a cartridge or capsule 40 comprises an elongatedcylinder body portion 40A defining a reservoir for containing a supplyof low viscosity dental material M. An end wall 40B is formed at oneend, which is illustrated as being hemispherical. However, it will beunderstood that the end wall 40B may take other shapes well known and/oras disclosed in a number of prior capsule patents. Adjacent the end wall40B and extending at an angle relative to the central axis of the bodyportion 40A is a discharge nozzle 40C. The discharge nozzle or cannula40C communicates with the body portion 40A. The nozzle 40C terminates ina ball tip or sphere 44 which includes a discharge orifice 41. Adisplaceable piston 43 is placed at the open end 42 for sealing the openend 42 and for extruding the dental material when displaced. A flange40D generally circumscribes the open end 42. A porous cover orapplicator 45 is secured about the small sphere 44 at the end of thedischarge nozzle 40C. The small sphere 44 provides support for theporous cover 45 and facilitates the spreading or brushing of the dentalmaterial onto a tooth surface.

[0033]FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, the dental tip, cartridge or capsule 50 is utilized asa delivery nozzle which may be directly attached to the end of a syringe(not shown) containing a quantity of low viscosity material to bedispensed through the dental tip 50. The dental tip 50 comprises a bodyportion 51 and a connected needle-like cannula 52 having a bore 56. Thecannula 52 is connected to one end of the body 51 through which thedental material is discharged. A Luhr locking flange 53 is formed on theother end of the body 51. The Luhr locking flange 53 is constructed toreleaseably mate and lock the tip 50 onto the end of a syringe, notshown, or other container defining a reservoir for the dental material.The needle cannula 52 is generally formed of metal, but can also be madeof any suitable material, such as plastic. The cannula 52, when formedof metal, is preferably formed of a ductile metal which can be bent sothat the discharge end or orifice may be disposed at any desired anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of the body 51. A foam or porous flowthrough cover 54 is attached to the cannula 52. The flow through coveror applicator may be made of any type of porous material that has thedesired porosity as hereinbefore described. In the illustratedembodiment, the porous covering 54 is illustrated as being spherical inshape.

[0034]FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the present inventionsimilar to that illustrated in FIG. 7. However, FIG. 8 illustrates onlythe applicator or discharge end of the embodiment. Attached to cannula52 is a porous cover in the shape of a cylindrical shaped applicatorcircumscribing the discharge orifice 52A. The cylindrical applicator offoam or flow through cellular material 54A is provided with a recessedportion 58 by which it is fitted to the orifice end 52A of the cannula52. The foam cylindrical applicator 54A may have a curved surface 54Bformed at distal end.

[0035]FIG. 9 illustrates the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 in crosssection. The foam cylindrical applicator 54A is attached to the cannula52 as hereinbefore described. The recessed end portion 58 may be coatedwith a suitable adhesive so that the cylindrical applicator 54A issecurely attached thereto. The foam cylindrical applicator 54A is snuglyfitted to the end of the bore 56 of the cannula 52. Accordingly, dentalmaterial may freely flow from the orifice 52A and through the porous orfoam cylindrical applicator 54A.

[0036]FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment of the present invention havinga mechanical holding feature for attaching the foam or porous coveringor applicator 154 to the cannula 152.

[0037] A cannula 152, which may be made of plastic or metal, is attachedto a body portion of the capsule or cartridge as hereinbefore described.In the illustrated embodiment, the cannula 152 has an outwardly flare ormechanical retainer 152A formed at the discharge end. The foamapplicator or cover 154 has a complementary shaped internal cavity 152B.The internal cavity 152B need only have a complementary shape to that ofthe flared retainer 152A so as to mechanically retain the foamapplicator 154 onto the flare or mechanical retainer 152A of the cannula152. For additional securement, a glue or suitable adhesive may also beused. The resiliency of the foam applicator 154 helps to hold the foamcover 154 on the cannula 152 which, in FIG. 9A, the cover 154 isillustrated as having a spherical shape. However, it will be understoodthat the shape may vary depending upon the use thereof. Additionally,the mechanical retainer 152A may have other desired shapes as long asthe shape functions to mechanically hold the foam or porous flow throughapplicator 154 onto the cannula 152. The embodiment of FIG. 9A has thefurther advantage that different shaped foam applicators 154 may beselected for placement onto the discharge end of cannula 152, dependingupon the application or preference of the user.

[0038]FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.In FIG. 10, a dental cartridge, capsule or tip 60 includes a bodyportion 61 provided with a rear opening 62 at one end and a needle-likecannula 63 connected to the other end thereof. At the end of the needlelike cannula 63 is a foam or porous flow through cover in the form of acone defining an apex 65. The conically shaped cover 65 may be adheredto the cannula 63 by any of the means hereinbefore described. The tip 60has a flange 66 and a nipple portion 67 adjacent thereto. The dental tip60 is formed so as to be detachably connected to a syringe or containercontaining the dental material. It will be understood that the foam end65 may assume other desired shapes. The conical shape terminating in apointed apex provides for precise placing of the dental material flowingthrough the applicator end 65.

[0039]FIG. 11 illustrates yet another embodiment of the presentinvention. The dental capsule 70 is illustrated as having an elongatedcylindrical body portion 71 which has an open end 72 and an elongatedneedle like cannula 73 at the other end. An outwardly extending flange72A circumscribes the open end 72. A displaceable piston 74 seals theopen end 72. A reservoir 71A contains low viscosity dental material.Attached to the discharge end of cannula 73 is a foam or porous flowthrough applicator 75. The foam or flow through applicator 75 is formedwith a plurality of fingers or points 76.

[0040]FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of the presentinvention. The dental capsule, cartridge or tip 80 comprises anelongated, cylindrical or tubular body 80A defining a reservoir 81 forcontaining a predetermined amount of low viscosity dental material. Oneend of the body 80A has an opening 82. A radially extending flange 83circumscribes opening 82. The other end of the body 80A is provided witha conical end wall 84. Extending at an angle relative to the end wall 84is a discharge nozzle 85 having a discharge orifice. The displaceablepiston 86 is provided with a conical shape end which complements theinterior configuration of the end wall 84 and seals opening 82. A shapedfoam or porous flow through applicator 87 is attached to the orifice endof the discharge nozzle 85. The shaped foam applicator 87 has aplurality of appendages 89 formed thereon. These appendages 89 assist inspreading or coating the dental material onto a tooth or other dentalsurface as the dental material is dispensed therethrough.

[0041]FIG. 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, tip, cartridge or capsule 90 has a Luhrtype locking flange 91 on one end and a discharge nozzle 93 connected tothe other end. Attached to the discharge nozzle 93 is a foam or porousflow through applicator 94 having a concave portion 95 to conform to theshape of a tooth whereby the dental material dispensed therethrough maybe spread or brushed onto a tooth in broad strokes.

[0042]FIG. 14 illustrates yet another embodiment of the presentinvention directed to a sealed dental container or ampule that issqueezable. The dental container or ampule 100 has a body portion 10A,which is closed at one end. 100B. The other end terminates in anelongated discharge nozzle 100C having a distal end which is alsoinitially sealed. The body 100A of the ampule 100 is preferably formedof a flexible plastic material whereby the body portion 100A functionsin the nature of a squeeze bottle. Disposed within the body portion 100Ais a predetermined amount of low viscosity dental material. The dentalmaterial may be a fluent gel or liquid. The discharge nozzle 100C isflexible and may be bent into a desired position as illustrated inphantom in FIG. 14. Covering the discharge end of the discharge nozzle100C is a foam or porous flow through cover or applicator 101 in theform of a ball. The closed or sealed end 100D of the discharge nozzle100C may be pieced by a suitable piecing tool to form a dischargeorifice through which the dental material may be dispensed as it flowsthrough the porous cover 101.

[0043]FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.In this embodiment a syringe assembly 200 comprises a syringe body 210with an attached replaceable cartridge or tip 212. The tip 212 comprisesa locking flange 214, a body portion 216, a small discharging tube orcannula 218 provided with a discharge orifice. Surrounding the dischargeorifice is a foam or porous flow through applicator 220. The lockingflange 214 is adapted to attach the tip 212 to the open or discharge endof the syringe 210. This permits the dispensing of bulk low viscositymaterial placed within the syringe 210 with the use of multipleindividual tips 212. Therefore, the bulk material may be dispensed insmall quantities at different times through the replaceable tips 212. Ateach different time or use of the syringe 210, a new applicator tip 212may be used. It will be understood that the tip 212 may be secured tothe syringe by various means, such as press fit, screw threads, bayonetfittings, Luhr locking flange, and/or other equivalent attachingsystems.

[0044] It should be appreciated that the present invention provides adental material container, capsule, nozzle or ampule with a flow throughapplicator having improved flow control characteristics enabling lowviscosity material to be dispensed. Additionally, the foam or porousflow through applicator of the different embodiments takes a variety ofshapes. Each of the shapes may be molded as desired during themanufacturing process of the tip, cartridge, capsule or container.Alternatively, the foam or porous flow through cover or applicator maybe adhered to the tip, cartridge, capsule or container by suitableadhesives and/or mechanically attached. The present invention having afoam applicator end can be easily manufactured and provides for a moreconsistent and controllable flow characteristic than prior known brushor flock type applicators. Additionally, the foam or porous flow throughapplicator ends of the various embodiments of the present inventionprovides for a more consistent applicating surface and which imparts acushioning effect to prevent scratching or damaging the surface on whichthe material is being applied. Therefore, the present invention in itsvarious embodiments provides a considerable improvement over applicatorspreviously known and used.

[0045] While the present invention has been described with respect tovarious dental type embodiments, other modifications, variations anduses thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthis invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dental material dispensing device fordispensing and applying low viscosity dental materials comprising: abody portion adapted to receive and dispense a low viscosity dentalmaterial; an attachment portion formed on said body portion capable ofattaching an end of said body portion to a syringe; a cannula attachedto said body portion; a discharge nozzle formed on an end of saidcannula and having a discharge orifice; and a porous flow throughapplicator attached to said discharge nozzle and an exterior portion ofsaid cannula adjacent said discharge nozzle, said porous flow throughapplicator completely covering said discharge orifice through which thedental material is dispensed from said discharge nozzle and through saidporous flow through applicator and by which the dental material may bespread, painted or brushed directly onto a dental surface as the dentalmaterial is being dispensed.
 2. A dental material container as definedin claim 1 wherein: said shaped foam applicator is glued to saidcannula.
 3. A dental material container as defined in claim 1 wherein:said foam applicator is mechanically attached to said cannula.
 4. Adental material container as defined in claim 1 wherein: said foamapplicator is integrally molded to said cannula.
 5. A dental materialcontainer as defined in claim 1 further comprising: a syringe attachedto said attachment portion.
 6. A dental material container as defined inclaim 5 further comprising: a dental material contained in said syringe.7. A dental capsule for dispensing and applying a low viscosity dentalmaterial comprising: a tubular body defining a reservoir and having anopen end and a discharge end; an attachment portion attached to an endof said tubular body, whereby said tubular body is capable of attachingto a syringe; a cannula connected to said discharge end of said tubularbody, said cannula having a discharge orifice and formed of a materialwhich can be bent to form a desired angle relative to a longitudinalaxis of said tubular body; a shaped foam flow through applicatorattached to said cannula and completely covering said discharge orifice;and a displaceable piston adapted to fit within the open end of saidtubular body to seal said open end, a low viscosity dental materialadapted to be placed in said reservoir to be dispensed through saidshaped foam applicator when said piston is advanced within said tubularbody whereby said foam applicator is used to spread, paint, or brush thelow viscosity dental material directly onto a dental surface as the lowviscosity dental material is being dispensed from said reservoir.
 8. Adental capsule for dispensing and applying a low viscosity dentalmaterial as in claim 7 further comprising: said low viscosity dentalmaterial comprises a bonding agent.
 9. A dental capsule for dispensingand applying a low viscosity dental material as in claim 7 wherein: saidlow viscosity dental material comprises a sealant.
 10. A unit dosematerial container for dispensing a low viscosity material comprising: asealed squeezable ampule having an elongated discharge nozzle with adistal end; the elongated discharge nozzle being initially sealed at thedistal end; and a foam flow through applicator attached to the distalend of the elongated discharge nozzle and completely covering the distalend of said elongated discharge nozzle, whereby upon the piercing of thedistal end and squeezing said ampule causes the low viscosity materialto be dispensed and applied to a surface through the distal end andattached said foam flow through applicator.
 11. A unit dose materialcontainer for dispensing a low viscosity material as in claim 10wherein: the low viscosity material is a dental material.
 12. A bulksyringe for dispensing a low viscosity material comprising: a syringebody containing a bulk supply of a predetermined amount of low viscositymaterial and having a discharge end; a nozzle having a discharge orificeattached to the discharge end of said syringe body; and a foam flowthrough material attached to the discharge orifice and completelycovering said discharge orifice, whereby the low viscosity material insaid syringe is capable of being dispensed through said foam flowthrough material to control the flow of said low viscosity materialduring the dispensing thereof.
 13. A bulk syringe as defined in claim 12wherein: said foam flow through material is bonded to said nozzle.
 14. Abulk syringe as defined in claim 12 and further comprising: said nozzleincluding a needle-like cannula.
 15. A bulk syringe as defined in claim12 wherein: the low viscosity material is a dental material.
 16. A bulksyringe as defined in claim 12 wherein: said nozzle is detachablyconnected to said syringe body.